Urine collection device for a male and method therefor

Abstract

A urine collection device directed for male users who are bed-ridden in hospitals, nursing homes, at-home care patients who are totally or partially bed-ridden patients, or by other male individuals seeking the convenience of a portable urine collection device. The collection device of the present invention includes a bag having a main body portion, an upper portion, a lower portion, and an inner chamber. The bag is provided at the upper portion with an upper neck portion, and at the lower portion having a lower neck portion. The bag further includes an aperture for releasably securing or hanging the bag to an external hook. The uppermost end of the upper neck portion having an opening in fluid communication with the inner chamber of the bag. The lowermost end of the lower neck portion having an opening in fluid communication with the inner chamber of the bag. The bag further including a closure secured to the opening of the lower neck portion. The function of the closure when secured to the lower neck portion, is to preserve any fluid in the inner chamber and provide a leak resistant sealing between the lower neck portion and the closure. When the closure is released from the lower neck portion, any fluid contained in the inner chamber of the bag is allowed to flow by gravity out from the inner chamber down through the opening of the lower neck portion. The collection device further includes a hollow tube having a first end attached to the uppermost end of the upper neck portion, and a second end attached to an end of a conduit, the opposite end of the conduit sized to facilitate the penis to be inserted therein during use. Gravity allows the fluid to flow from the conduit down through the tube and to the inner chamber.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A urine collection device for a male, said device comprising: 
 a bag including an upper neck portion having a upper neck opening, a lower neck portion having a lower neck opening, and a first side attached to a second side, wherein the interior surfaces of said first and second sides define an inner chamber;    an elongated tube having an interior bore that extends the length of the tube, a first end having a lower tube opening, said first end of the tube connected to the upper neck portion of the bag, and a second end having an upper tube opening, wherein the lower tube opening is fixedly centered over the upper neck opening of the upper neck portion;    wherein the tube is in fluid communication with the inner chamber;    a closure releasably secured to the lower neck portion in sealing engagement with the lower neck opening;    wherein releasing the closure from the lower neck portion allows fluid retained within the inner chamber to releasably flow through the lower neck opening;    wherein securing the closure to the lower neck portion forms a liquid tight seal so that the fluid is retained within the inner chamber.    
     
     
         2 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a conduit having a bore that extends the length of the tube, a first conduit end connected to the second end of the tube, and a second conduit end having a second conduit opening sized to facilitate a male's penis.  
     
     
         3 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first conduit end having a first conduit opening, wherein the first conduit opening is fixedly centered over the upper tube opening of the second end of the tube.  
     
     
         4 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an aperture disposed on an upper portion of the bag.  
     
     
         5 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the lower neck portion is disposed at a lowest gravitational area of the bag so that retained fluid within the inner chamber flows by gravity from the inner chamber through the lower neck opening.  
     
     
         6 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bag is constructed of a liquid-impervious material.  
     
     
         7 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bag is constructed of a thermoplastic material.  
     
     
         8 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tube is constructed of a flexible thermoplastic material.  
     
     
         9 . A urine collection device for a male, said device comprising: 
 a bag including an inner chamber and an outlet, said outlet in fluid communication with the inner chamber;    an elongated tube in fluid communication with the inner chamber,    a closure releasably secured to the outlet;    wherein releasing the closure from the outlet allows fluid retained within the inner chamber to releasably flow from the outlet;    wherein securing the closure to the outlet forms a liquid tight seal so that the fluid is retained within the inner chamber.    
     
     
         10 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising an aperture disposed on an upper portion of the bag.  
     
     
         11 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the tube further includes a first end having a lower tube opening and a second end having an upper tube opening, said first end is connected to an upper neck portion of the bag.  
     
     
         12 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a conduit having a bore that extends the length of the tube, a first conduit end connected to the second end of the tube, and a second conduit end having a second conduit opening sized to facilitate a male's penis.  
     
     
         13 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the first conduit end having a first conduit opening, wherein the first conduit opening is fixedly centered over the upper tube opening of the second end of the tube.  
     
     
         14 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the bag is constructed of a liquid-impervious material.  
     
     
         15 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the bag is constructed of a thermoplastic material.  
     
     
         16 . The urine collection device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the tube is constructed of a flexible thermoplastic material.  
     
     
         17 . A method for collecting and discarding a male's urine, comprising the following steps in the sequence set forth: 
 securing a closure to an outlet of a urine collection device, said device comprising a bag having an inner chamber, an upper neck portion, and said outlet, said outlet in fluid communication with the inner chamber, the device further including a flexible elongated tube having an interior bore, a first end connected to the upper neck portion of the bag, and a second end, said tube in fluid communication with the inner chamber, and a conduit having a bore, a first conduit end connected to the second end of the tube, and a second conduit end, wherein the first conduit end having a first conduit opening fixedly centered over an upper tube opening of the second end of the tube;    inserting the male's penis in the second conduit end of the conduit;    elevating the second end of the tube above the first end;    collecting the urine within the device, wherein the urine flows down through the tube, through the upper neck portion, and into the inner chamber of the bag;    tilting the bag so that the urine within the bag flows away from the outlet in the bag;    removing the closure from the outlet;    tilting the bag so that the urine within the bag flows toward the outlet.